The UseParagon Story: Launching a Scalable MVP and Closing Seed Funding

ThinkSys partnered with UseParagon to build and launch their complete integration platform in just 3 months. As a result, our client secured their seed funding right after the launch. We'll walk you through the exact steps we took to make it happen. This case study shows you how to move quickly and maintain quality when launching a new product. 

Whether you're working toward your first round of funding or an experienced founder starting a new venture, these proven approaches will help you build and launch effectively.

Meet UseParagon

It’s a SaaS platform that helps businesses add native integrations to their apps - similar to Zapier's but built right into your product.

Their platform gives developers a visual builder to create complex workflows directly in their applications. There is no switching between tools, no maintaining separate integrations, just seamless, embedded automation.

But to achieve that, our client had to overcome lots of problems. 

• Starting From Zero: UseParagon needed to build their product without an engineering team. This meant finding a partner who could handle everything - from initial design to final deployment.
• Time Was Running Out: They had 90 days to build a working product. The timeline wasn't flexible, and investors were waiting.
• Investors Needed Proof: Multiple investors showed interest, but they all wanted the same thing: a working product to evaluate. No demos or mockups would cut it.
• Complex Technical Requirements: The product needed real functionality: drag-and-drop workflow editing, backend systems that could scale, and a custom engine to run it all. 
• Market Pressure Was Real: Other companies were racing to solve the same problems. Being first to market was essential for survival.

Solution

Our job was to move fast without breaking the scale. We planned a systematic approach built for urgency, clarity, and long-term leverage, which included:

1. Full-Stack Ownership from Day One: We recommended taking complete control of frontend, backend, and infrastructure development. There would be no hiring delays, handoffs, or coordination bottlenecks, and one team would be accountable for everything.
2. Rapid MVP, Built to Scale: Our 3-month MVP roadmap prioritized core features while building robust foundations. We designed the authentication, architecture, and testing frameworks to support long-term growth.
3. Custom Workflow Engine: Rather than depend on limiting third-party solutions, we created a specialized workflow engine. This would give UseParagon better performance, complete control, and a distinct edge in the market.
4. Real-Time, Drag-and-Drop Interface: We would build a responsive frontend system - precisely what modern SaaS applications demand. Our focus was to create an intuitive and powerful interface that would become a key selling point.
5. Microservices-Ready from Day One: We recommended architecting the backend with built-in modularity from the initial development phase so the platform could scale efficiently as our client’s business grows.

These proposals gave the UseParagon team confidence in our ability to deliver the MVP on time and with the desired functionality.

Results

1. MVP Shipped in 3 Months: We delivered the product right on schedule. This early win helped our client gain credibility with investors and connect with their initial users.
2. Seed Round Secured Right After Launch: The working product turned conversations into term sheets. Investors saw what UseParagon could do, not just what it said it would do.
3. Real Users, Real Feedback: Early customers built their workflows after the app went live. Their hands-on experience shaped the product roadmap.
4. Built for Growth with Microservices: After launch, ThinkSys restructured the platform into specialized components - backend, execution engine, and UI. This made scaling much smoother.
5. Secured Series A Funding: UseParagon's Series A came easily. They had the metrics investors usually see - paying customers, robust tech, and room to grow.

Step-by-Step Approach to Achieve These Results

• Step 1: Built the Frontend from Scratch
  The ThinkSys team tackled UseParagon's most critical feature: a visual, drag-and-drop workflow builder. We built the front end using modern frameworks to deliver exceptional performance and adaptability. The workflow editor handled complex UI logic with real-time updates and autosave, making it effortless for users to create automation workflows. The polished, intuitive interface proved essential for early customer adoption.
• Step 2: Created All User-Facing Backend APIs
  A robust backend was essential to support real-time frontend interactions. The ThinkSys experts developed the major user-facing APIs that let users save, update, and access workflows instantly. We tightly integrated these APIs with the frontend, providing visibility into execution logs, version history, and workflow states. This architecture kept even complex workflows responsive and transparent for users.
• Step 3: Engineered a Custom Workflow Execution System
  Off-the-shelf tools couldn't provide the reliability UseParagon needed for executing millions of tasks. ThinkSys built a custom workflow engine that handled high-volume task execution at scale. Using Redis and a custom queue system, we ensured workflows reliably processed API calls and webhook triggers without slowdowns. The platform gained the capability to support real-time automation for demanding enterprise use cases.
• Step 4: Refactored to Scalable Microservices Architecture 
  As UseParagon's customer base grew, scaling became a priority. The ThinkSys team separated the platform into modular microservices, breaking out the frontend, workflow engine, and API layers. This architecture handled traffic spikes smoothly and let us deploy new features independently. We built the foundation for sustained growth while maintaining consistent performance.

Conclusion

That's how ThinkSys helped UseParagon build MVP in 3 months, secure seed funding, and create a foundation for sustainable growth. Want similar results for your startup? Our team focuses on rapid development, robust architecture, and strategic engineering decisions that set you up for success from day one.

If this resonates with your startup goals, schedule a call with our experts today to discuss how we can accelerate your SaaS journey.